“Bye, Uncle Shay! Bye, Aunt Cara!” The door closed, shutting off the kids’ voices and their frantic waves.

Cool night air stroked over Cara’s skin as she and Huxley descended the front steps to the sidewalk. Twining her fingers with Hux, she stole a glance at her mate—mate—and smiled, her heart ready to burst. She’d never get used to this feeling.

“So,” she said, “how did you get to be scared of spiders? You never told me the story.”

He shot her a look from behind narrowed eyes, the silver in them catching the moonlight. “Won’t let it go, will you?”

“Like a dog with a bone. Now spill.”

He grumbled something incoherent, and she nudged him with her elbow.

“Come on, Mr. Quire-orgy.”

“Agastopia.” His smile made her belly fl